Defense for Convicted Murder Defendant Requests New Trial

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On Nov. 3, defense attorney Nancy Forster filed a motion in the Baltimore City Circuit Court to reopen a 2001 murder conviction.

During Thursday’s hearing, Forster told the court that her goal was to get a new trial for her client, John Willis Warren, who was charged for a murder that occurred in 2000. 

In 2001, Warren, now 41, was convicted of first-degree murder, using a handgun to commit and violent crime, and having a handgun on his person and sentenced to life in prison for murder and a consecutive 20 years for the using a handgun to commit a crime.

In response, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Emmanuel Brown told Forster that he was concerned over her decision to withdraw her motion to reduce Warren’s sentence and opt for a re-opening instead. 

While the judge denied the defense’s motion to withdraw, Forster said she would file an appeal with the court.

Warren’s next hearing date is scheduled for Feb. 6, 2023.